Cryo Archive is Marathon's endgame map, set aboard the derelict UESC Marathon itself. It's designed to be the most punishing experience in the game, and Bungie has put strict entry requirements in place to make sure only well-equipped Raiders can step inside. The map has been added to the game client but is not yet playable — a community-wide alternate reality game (ARG) must be completed before it opens for everyone.
Quick answer: Reach Season Level 25, establish a connection with all six factions (CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, and Sekiguchi Genetics), and equip a loadout worth at least 5,000 Credits.
Cryo Archive access requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Season Level | Must be at least Level 25 |
| Faction connections | All six factions unlocked: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, Sekiguchi Genetics |
| Loadout value | Your equipped gear must total 5,000 Credits or more |
All three conditions must be met simultaneously. If any one of them is not satisfied, the map will remain locked on your selection screen. The 5,000-Credit loadout floor is likely the hardest barrier for most players, since it forces you to bring high-rarity weapons and attachments into a map where death means losing everything.
Faction connections — what counts
You do not need to finish every priority contract for a faction. You only need to complete each faction's introductory liaison contract — the one titled "Introducing…" followed by the faction name (for example, "Introducing Sekiguchi"). Finishing that contract establishes a connection with the faction representative, and that is all Cryo Archive checks for.
As you progress through the early story contracts for the starting factions like CyberAcme and NuCaloric, you will unlock quests that introduce the remaining factions. Work through these introductory missions in order and you will eventually have all six connections established well before you hit Level 25.
Reaching the 5,000-Credit loadout threshold
Your loadout value is the combined worth of every piece of gear you have equipped. You can see this number displayed above your gear slots in the Loadout menu. Weapons — especially rare ones fitted with high-rarity attachments — contribute the most to this total. If you're falling short, focus on extracting valuable weapons and mods from runs on other maps like Perimeter, Dire Marsh, or Outpost.
Keep in mind that dying on Cryo Archive means losing your equipped gear. Rebuilding a 5,000-Credit loadout after a failed run could take several successful extractions on other maps, so treat every Cryo attempt as a serious investment.
Do you need a Cryo Archive key?
No. The numbered keys that reference Cryo Archive are not required to enter the map. Those keys unlock specific high-tier vaults and locked doors inside Cryo Archive itself, giving access to the best loot the map has to offer. You can queue into Cryo Archive without ever finding a key — you just won't be able to open those premium loot rooms.
Keys drop from Wardens on other maps. If you manage to extract with one, you can then bring it into a Cryo Archive run to crack open the corresponding vault. Losing the key to another player or dying before you exfil means it's gone, so plan accordingly.
Cryo Archive ARG and current unlock status
Cryo Archive appears on the map selection screen as a redacted entry. It was originally expected to go live roughly two weeks after Marathon's launch, which would have placed it around March 19. However, the map's actual availability is tied to a community ARG that must be fully solved first.
The final known stage of the ARG requires the entire player base to collectively destroy 500 million UESC robots. This kill counter has been tracked since launch and was past the halfway mark as of mid-March, with fewer than 200 million kills remaining. Once the community hits the target — or Bungie decides to flip the switch — the map should open for all players who meet the three requirements above.
Players have also been investigating a mysterious terminal in the upper level of Dire Marsh's Complex area. Marathon's launch cinematic depicts a crew accessing the UESC Marathon through a console in that location, which has fueled speculation that an in-game entrance might exist there. Whether this is part of the Cryo Archive unlock sequence or a separate puzzle remains unclear.
How to confirm you're ready
Step 1: Open your Season tab and verify you are at least Level 25. If you're short, turn in completed contracts and objectives to earn experience.
Step 2: Check your faction screen. You should see an active connection with all six factions: CyberAcme, NuCaloric, Traxus, MIDA, Arachne, and Sekiguchi Genetics. If any are missing, look for their "Introducing…" liaison contract and complete it.
Step 3: Go to your Loadout menu and look at the total value displayed above your equipped gear. It must read 5,000 Credits or higher. Swap in your most valuable weapons and attachments until you clear the threshold.
Once all three boxes are checked and the community ARG is resolved, Cryo Archive will become selectable from the map screen. No exact release date has been officially confirmed, but the map is expected to open in late March once the final puzzle steps are completed.
Cryo Archive is Marathon's true endgame gauntlet — a high-risk, high-reward zone where only the most prepared Raiders will survive. Get your factions connected, hit Level 25, and start stockpiling your best gear now so you're ready to drop in the moment the map goes live.